FirstFT: South Korea’s fertility rate rises for first time in 9 years

Also in today’s newsletter, Trump threatens to impose 25% tariffs on EU goods, and Taiwan condemns China over unannounced live-fire naval drills

Topics

Baby bump in South Korea as fertility rate rises for first time in 9 years

Surge in marriages after pandemic spurs hopes country’s demographics may have turned a corner
Financial Times - 18h
Birth rate in South Korea, the world's lowest, rises for first time in 9 years

South Korea’s fertility rate rose in 2024 for the first time in nine years, preliminary data showed Wednesday, in a sign that the country’s demographic crisis might have turned a corner.
NBC News - 16h
South Korea birthrate rises for first time in nine years amid surge in marriages

Rise comes from very low base and remains far below the 2.1 births per woman needed to stabilise population. South Korea’s birthrate rose last year for the first time in nine years, as a surge in ...
The Guardian - 19h
North Korea allows a group of international travelers for the 1st time in years

A small group of foreign tourists has visited North Korea in the past week
ABC News - 14h
Why did Tesla sales fall for the first time in 12 years?

Elon Musk's company, Tesla, saw its sales fall by 1% in 2024, despite global electric vehicle sales rising 7.3%. It marked the first time the company's annual sales have fallen in 12 years. CBS ...
CBS News - 1d
NBA rookie report: 5 promising first-year players on the rise, including Zach Edey

These 2024 first-round picks are showing long-term potential.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Where to see cherry blossoms in South Korea

Yahoo News - 4d
Tech regulation is a high-wire act for South Korea

Ensuring fair competition in the digital sphere risks antagonising the new US administration
Financial Times - 1d
South Carolina man to be killed in US’s first firing squad execution in 15 years

Brad Sigmon, 67, chooses to be shot dead amid concerns that lethal injections have caused ‘excruciating’ pain. A South Carolina man on death row has chosen to be killed by firing squad, and if ...
The Guardian - 5d

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South Koreans Are Having More Babies After Years of Decline

South Korea reported a rare increase in births last year as the country grapples with a dwindling population. Its fertility rate remains the world’s lowest.
The New York Times - 31m
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